Workshop Item: Joe Huss, Finance Director
Title
2020 GENERAL FUND BUDGET DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP
Background
The 2020 budget process is underway and staff has begun to prepare budget proposals for Council review. As in previous years, the 2020 Budget is being prepared under the assumption that the total of all city and EDA levies would be set at an amount such that the combined tax rate for all city and EDA levies would not exceed the 2019 overall combined tax rate of 36.806%. Current estimates indicate the capacity to increase overall levies by $2.8 million and remain at the target rate. Throughout the budget process, Council will have the ability to reprioritize both the total levy amount and the levy allocation to fit Council priorities.
Pursuant to the proposed schedule, staff will present for Council’s review the departmental requests that are currently under Finance Department review. The budget requests will initially be reviewed by Finance staff before moving on to the City Manager. The review will be based on the service assumptions and priority-based budgeting methods that have been developed over the last several years as well as making efforts to align the budget with the strategic plan currently being developed.
On July 15, staff will present for Council review and discussion an overview of the 2020 General Fund Budget that incorporates initial departmental requests and City Manager priorities.
The work-plan for the remainder of this year is summarized as follows:
• June - Review preliminary staff requests; provide further direction on the preliminary 2020 tax levy and service assumptions.
• July - Review draft budget; further refine assumptions; and begin prioritizing services
• August - Develop Preliminary Tax Levy and Budget
• September - Adopt Preliminary Tax Levy and Budget. Council establishes target levy and service levels.
• October-November - Prioritize and reprioritize based on ability to fund.
• December - Complete prioritization process, and adopt 2020 tax levy and budget.
Recommendation
Upon review of the departmental requests, provide comment and direction regarding prioritization of the 2020 budget.